19 Set Control Unit Batteries

[Chris Suslowicz]

Members of a nervous disposition may wish to sit down now, and have the brandy and oxygen mask (or smelling salts handy).

It appears that the humble 'X' cell lives on (or, at least is not quite extinct).

(FX: Drum Roll)

[David Dunlop]

Well I couldn’t stand it Chris. I emailed the company to see what I can find out about commercial availability of that battery.

I will post what I find out.

David

[Grant Bowker]

Since I don't plan to make a working radio setup, reasonable visual facsimile batteries would fill my needs. In fact, they might better represent period equipment than a modern functional battery.
My thought is a block of wood wrapped in suitable printed card stock with terminals out the top. This is based on what I can see in the photo of the initial post. One advantage to the visual replica is that it can't ever go flat and leak as "dry" cells have been known to do.

I was about to post asking if anyone has photos of original batteries to share to help with the markings on the side (top is shown in the photo and there's some guidance for the side in the PDF Chris provided), then I remembered a basic rule - search before asking to avoid looking stupid/lazy (or at least any more silly than necessary). Found photos (from an ebay listing out of London UK https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Crompton-Par...item2f3da67425 ), but not much more. More photos will be gladly accepted.....

[Grant Bowker]

one more photo found

[David Dunlop]

It may turn out these batteries are still in production via a ‘closed’ MOD contract to provide them as needed, which begs the question as to what equipment would still be in service today, requiring such batteries?

David

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

It may turn out these batteries are still in production via a ‘closed’ MOD contract to provide them as needed, which begs the question as to what equipment would still be in service today, requiring such batteries?

David

They look hand-made, which means that the cost will be astronomical.

It will be for some very low-volume application, possibly for use in the very old field telephones (e.g Telephone Sets F & J) that may still be used on firing ranges.

I suspect there's just a 'D' cell inside and that they cost the MoD over £20 per unit, possibly over £50.

Chris.

[David Dunlop]

Well that was fast, but pretty much as expected.

These batteries are made only on an an ‘as ordered’ basis from the MOD. No orders, no batteries. A non-MOD order would be considered, but the batch run would have to be high in number to do so.

Pricing was skillfully avoided, but I did learn they provide individual batteries only. They are never done up in pairs with the small jumper cable. The end user would need to source those.

David

[James D Teel II]

Originally Posted by Chris Suslowicz

Members of a nervous disposition may wish to sit down now, and have the brandy and oxygen mask (or smelling salts handy).

It appears that the humble 'X' cell lives on (or, at least is not quite extinct).

(FX: Drum Roll)

I’ve just received word that MOD has now completely made this battery obsolete. It looks like we’re now going to have to make our own, as some have already done.

[Colin Alford]

Gents,

I just stumbled across this eBay listing for replica X cells:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115142074...=&toolid=10050

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Colin Alford

Gents,

I just stumbled across this eBay listing for replica X cells:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115142074...=&toolid=10050

Ah! I bought some of his "800" replica batteries (the 2 x 'F' cell cycle lamp type) used in the Lamp Electric No.1, Lantern, Electric, Traffic, No.2, the "bomb disposal" intercom set, and a few other things. I asked about the possibility of 'X' cells and we had a discussion which ended up in my sending him the Defence Standards specifications for them. I'm sure other 'wrappers' are possible if required, as the body of the unit is 3-D printed with an external label applied.

Best regards,
Chris.

[Tim Bell]

Originally Posted by Chris Suslowicz

Ah! I bought some of his "800" replica batteries (the 2 x 'F' cell cycle lamp type) used in the Lamp Electric No.1, Lantern, Electric, Traffic, No.2, the "bomb disposal" intercom set, and a few other things. I asked about the possibility of 'X' cells and we had a discussion which ended up in my sending him the Defence Standards specifications for them. I'm sure other 'wrappers' are possible if required, as the body of the unit is 3-D printed with an external label applied.

Best regards,
Chris.

Proper Job!

Am looking for repros of the batteries for the Hellesen lights... do you have the specs for those too by any chance?

Cheers

Tim

[James D Teel II]

Originally Posted by Colin Alford

Gents,

I just stumbled across this eBay listing for replica X cells:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115142074...=&toolid=10050

That's very nice. Thanks for posting! I just purchased four from him. They're a little on the expensive side for me, but it beats me buying a printer and doing all the other set up myself.